Short Summary

The Rumanian President Nicolae Ceausescu wound up a three-day visit to Lebanon on Saturday evening (February 16) by insisting at a press conference at the Presidential Palace that Israel withdraw completely from occupied Arab territory and calling for Israel to respect the rights of the Palestinians.

Description

The Rumanian President Nicolae Ceausescu wound up a three-day visit to Lebanon on Saturday evening (February 16) by insisting at a press conference at the Presidential Palace that Israel withdraw completely from occupied Arab territory and calling for Israel to respect the rights of the Palestinians.

On Sunday morning President Ceausescu was seen off at the airport by Lebanon President Suleiman Franjieh as he left for Damascus to continue his Middle East tour.

Rumania is the only Eastern European country to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and President Ceausescu has been involved with a number of moves in the search for a settlement following the Arab-Israeli October ???.

President Ceausescu left Bucharest on February 12 for Libya to start his current tour. In Libya he had talks with Colonel Muammar Gaddafi on the Middle East, oil and bilateral relations.

During the Rumanian President's visit to Lebanon, the two countries signed agreements on tourism, Veterinary health, diplomatic visas and cultural co-operation. Lebanon is also reported to be considering a draft agreement on technical co-operation in industry offered by Rumania.